1999 YAMAHA YZF-R7 Owners Manual

3 - 44
CHK
ADJ
CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE STEERING HEAD
3. Remove:
• bottom cowling
• front cowling
Refer to “COWLINGS”.
4. Remove:
• front brake fluid reservoir 1
• clutch fluid reservoir 2
2
2
1
1

5. Loosen:
• upper bracket pinch bolts 1
• handlebar pinch bolts 2
6. Remove:
• upper bracket bolts 3
• handlebars
(from the upper bracket)
1
1

3
3

2

2

7. Remove:
• steering stem nut 1
• washer 2
• upper bracket 3
2
2
1
1
3
3

8. Adjust:
• steering head
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
a. Remove the lock washer 1, the upper
ring nut 2, and the rubber washer 3.
b. Loosen the lower ring nut 4 and then
tighten it to specification with a ring
nut wrench 5.
NOTE:
Set the torque wrench at a right angle to
the steering nut wrench.
Steering nut wrench
90890-01403
T R..
Lower ring nut (initial tighten-
ing torque)
18 Nm (1.8 m • kg, 13 ft • lb)

3 - 45
CHK
ADJ
CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE STEERING HEAD
c. Loosen the lower ring nut completely,
then tighten it to specification.
WARNINGWARNING
Do not overtighten the lower ring nut.
d. Check the steering head for looseness
or binding by turning the front fork all
the way in both directions. If any
binding is felt, remove the lower
bracket and check the upper and
lower bearings.
Refer to “STEERING HEAD” in chap-
ter 7.
e. Install the rubber washer 3.
f. Install the upper ring nut 2.
g. Finger tighten the upper ring nut 2,
then align the slots of both ring nuts.
If necessary, hold the lower ring nut
and tighten the upper ring nut until
their slots are aligned.
h. Install the lock washer 1.
NOTE:
Make sure that the lock washer tabs a
sit correctly in the ring nut slots b.
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
T R..
Lower ring nut (final tightening
torque)
9 Nm (0.9 m • kg, 6.5 ft • lb)
9. Install:
• steering stem nut
• upper bracket bolt
• handlebar pinch bolt
• upper bracket pinch bolt
10.Measure:
• steering head tension
(with the motorcycle still on the stand)
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
NOTE:
Make sure that all of the cables and
wires are properly routed.
a. Point the front wheel straight ahead.
b. Install a plastic locking tie 1 loosely
around the end of the handlebar as
shown.
c. Hook a spring gauge 2 onto the plas-
tic locking tie.
T R..115 Nm (11.5 m · kg, 85 ft · lb)
T R..13 Nm (1.3 m · kg, 9.4 ft · lb)
T R..13 Nm (1.3 m · kg, 9.4 ft · lb)
T R..26 Nm (2.6 m · kg, 16 ft · lb)

3 - 46
CHK
ADJCHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE STEERING HEAD/
CHECKING THE FRONT FORK
d. Hold the spring gauge at a 45˚ angle
from the handlebar, pull the spring
gauge, and record the measurement
when the handlebar starts to turn.
e. Repeat the above procedure on the
opposite handlebar.
f. If the steering head tension is out of
specification (both handlebars should
be within specification), remove the
upper bracket and loosen or tighten
the upper ring nut.
g. Reinstall the upper bracket and mea-
sure the steering head tension again
as described above.
h. Repeat the above procedure until the
steering head tension is within speci-
fication.
i. Grasp the bottom of the front fork
legs and gently rock the front fork.
Looseness or binding ® Adjust the
steering head.
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Steering head tension
200 ~ 500 g (7.06 ~ 17.65 oz)
EB304141
CHECKING THE FRONT FORK
1. Stand the motorcycle on a level surface.
WARNINGWARNING
Securely support the motorcycle so that
there is no danger of it falling over.
2. Check:
• inner tube 1
Damage/scratches ® Replace.
• dust seal 2
• oil seal
Oil leakage ® Replace.
3. Hold the motorcycle upright and apply
the front brake.
4. Check:
• front fork operation
Push down hard on the handlebars
several times and check if the front
fork rebounds smoothly.
Rough movement ® Repair.
Refer to “FRONT FORK” in chapter 7.

3 - 47
CHK
ADJ
ADJUSTING THE FRONT FORK LEGS
EB304153
ADJUSTING THE FRONT FORK LEGS
The following procedure applies to both of
the front fork legs.
WARNINGWARNING
• Always adjust both front fork legs
evenly. Uneven adjustment can result
in poor handling and loss of stability.
• Securely support the motorcycle so
that there is no danger of it falling
over.
Spring preload
ACHTUNG:CAUTION:
• Grooves are provided to indicate the
adjustment position.
• Never go beyond the maximum or
minimum adjustment positions.
1. Adjust:
• spring preload
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
a. Turn the adjusting bolt 1 in direction
a or b.
NOTE:
With each turn of the adjusting bolt, the
installed length of the fork spring is
changed by 1 mm.
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Direction a
(turns in)Spring preload is
increased (suspension is
harder).
Direction b
(turns out)Spring preload is
decreased (suspension is
softer).
Adjusting positions
Minimum: 0 turns in direction*
Standard: 14 turns in direction*
Maximum: 18-1/2 turns in direction*
* after fully turning the adjusting
bolt in direction b
1
1

a a
b b

3 - 48
CHK
ADJ
ADJUSTING THE FRONT FORK LEGS
Rebound damping
ACHTUNG:CAUTION:
Never go beyond the maximum or mini-
mum adjustment positions.
1. Adjust:
• rebound damping
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
a. Turn the adjusting screw 1 in direc-
tion a or b.
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Compression damping
ACHTUNG:CAUTION:
Never go beyond the maximum or mini-
mum adjustment positions.
1. Adjust:
• compression damping
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
a. Turn the adjusting screw 1 in direc-
tion a or b.
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Direction aRebound damping is
increased (suspension is
harder).
Direction bRebound damping is
decreased (suspension is
softer).
Adjusting positions
Minimum: 17 clicks out*
Standard: 6 clicks out*
Maximum: 1 clicks out*
* from the fully turned-in position
Direction aCompression damping is
increased (suspension is
harder).
Direction bCompression damping is
decreased (suspension is
softer).
Adjusting positions
Minimum: 20 clicks out*
Standard: 6 clicks out*
Maximum: 1 clicks out*
* from the fully turned-in position
a ab b 1

1

a a
b b
1
1

3 - 49
CHK
ADJ
EB304162
ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER ASSEMBLY
WARNINGWARNING
Securely support the motorcycle so that
there is no danger of it falling over.
Spring preload
ACHTUNG:CAUTION:
Never go beyond the maximum or mini-
mum adjustment positions.
1. Adjust:
• spring preload
NOTE:
Adjust the spring preload with the spe-
cial wrench and extension bar included
in the owner’s tool kit.
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
a. Turn the adjusting knob 1 in direc-
tion a or b.
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Direction a
(turns in)Spring preload is
increased (suspension is
harder).
Direction b
(turns out)Spring preload is
decreased (suspension is
softer).
Adjusting positions
Minimum: 0 turns in*
Standard: 6 turns in *
Maximum: 20 turns in *
* from the fully turned-out position
1
1
a a
b b
ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY

3 - 50
CHK
ADJ
ADJUSTING THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY
Rebound damping
ACHTUNG:CAUTION:
Never go beyond the maximum or mini-
mum adjustment positions.
1. Adjust:
• rebound damping
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
a. Turn the adjusting screw 1 in direc-
tion a or b.
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Compression damping
ACHTUNG:CAUTION:
Never go beyond the maximum or mini-
mum adjustment positions.
1. Adjust:
• compression damping
t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t
a. Turn the adjusting screw 1 in direc-
tion a or b.
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s
Direction aRebound damping is
increased (suspension is
harder).
Direction bRebound damping is
decreased (suspension is
softer).
Adjusting positions
Minimum: 50 clicks out*
Standard: 10 clicks out*
Maximum: 0 clicks out*
* from the fully turned-in position
Direction aCompression damping is
increased (suspension is
harder).
Direction bCompression damping is
decreased (suspension is
softer).
Adjusting positions
Minimum: 25 clicks out*
Standard: 10 clicks out*
Maximum: 0 clicks out*
* from the fully turned-in position
1
1

a a
b b
a
a
b b1

1

3 - 51
CHK
ADJ
CHECKING THE TIRES
EB304170
CHECKING THE TIRES
The following procedure applies to both of
the tires.
1. Measure:
• tire pressure
Out of specification ® Regulate.
WARNINGWARNING
• The tire pressure should only be
checked and regulated when the tire
temperature equals the ambient air
temperature.
• The tire pressure and the suspension
must be adjusted according to the
total weight (including cargo, rider,
passenger and accessories) and the
anticipated riding speed.
• Operation of an overloaded motorcy-
cle could cause tire damage, an acci-
dent or an injury.
NEVER OVERLOAD THE MOTORCYCLE.
* total of cargo, rider and accessories
WARNINGWARNING
It is dangerous to ride with a worn-out
tire. When the tire tread reaches the
wear limit, replace the tire immediately.Basic weight
(with oil
and a full
fuel tank)207 kg (456 lb)
Maximum
load*317 kg (699 lb)
Cold tire
pressureFront Rear
Up to 90 kg
(198 lb)
load*250 kPa
(2.5 kgf/cm
2,
36 psi)250 kPa
(2.5 kgf/cm2,
36 psi)
90 kg (198 lb)
~ maximum
load*250 kPa
(2.5 kgf/cm
2,
36 psi)290 kPa
(2.9 kgf/cm2,
41 psi)
High-speed
riding250 kPa
(2.5 kgf/cm
2,
36 psi)250 kPa
(2.5 kgf/cm2,
36 psi)